Nothing Pink
by Mark Hardy

    NOTHING PINK by Mark Hardy
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  11/2008
    Publisher:  Front Street
    Reviewed by:  Margaret Waterman
    Rating:  5 Stars


    NOTHING PINK, by Mark Hardy, is Vincent’s story.  It is about a preacher’s son dealing with his demons -
    particularly those pertaining to his homosexuality; because in his church, homosexuality is viewed as a sin.         

    Vincent meets a boy, Robert Ingle, at church one day. Through horseback riding, birthday picnics, and Barry
    Manilow, they grow closer and closer, much to Vincent’s mother’s dismay.         

    Robert and Vincent’s relationship is only part of the story. Vincent’s relationship with God becomes increasingly
    more important as the story progresses; he is forced to wonder whether God will accept him, or change him.        

    When Vincent’s secret is revealed to his family by a magazine found in his room, hidden away beneath his mattress,
    his parents pray for God to deliver him from his sins. Although his parents claim to love him unconditionally, Vincent
    wonders how they can, when they hate homosexuality.  

    Since he was a little boy, Vincent has felt that his gayness is as much a part of him as his religion. If Vincent were to
    have his way, everything would remain exactly how it is then. But, unfortunately, this seems out of his control; ever
    since a defining moment early in his childhood, there has been “nothing pink” in his life.        

    NOTHING PINK is a beautifully written story about a boy’s acceptance of himself,  and a higher power’s
    acceptance of a boy.